April 24, 2011

"What Does the Church Have to Offer?" by Steve Eason

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Myers Park Presbyterian Church
April 24, 2011
Dr. Steven P. Eason
What Does the Church Have to Offer?
I Corinthians 15:1-8

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Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, ²through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. ³For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, ⁴and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, ⁵and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. ⁷Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. ⁹For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

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 Last Sunday we had an Every Member Has a Ministry Expo around the circle drive just outside the sanctuary.  People went from booth to booth meeting members who are involved in various ministries.

What if you could have an Expo where the whole world could attend – all 6.82 billion of them from 195 countries?  The booths would be various institutions sharing what they have to offer the world.

 There would be a Booth of Education;

‘We can teach you how to read and to write which will open the world of communication and commerce to you.  Education is the gateway to success.  Here’s an enrollment card.’

There would be a Booth of Government and Politics;

‘We have the capacity to organize people under a common cause, defend their rights and protect those who are weak and marginal.  We set policies and make decisions that affect you and your children’s future.  Would you like to register to vote?’

There would be a Healthcare Booth;

 ‘We educate and train doctors, nurses and medical staff to provide healthcare, surgery and medicines for all of your illnesses and physical needs.  We have the technology and human resources to help you.’

There would be booths on agriculture, commerce and trade; the military and technology.  Just imagine the whole world, from every country, at a huge expo where they go booth to booth learning what is available to them.

Over there in the corner is the Booth of Religions.  There is Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Unitarianism, Scientology and the Booth of Christianity.  What does Christianity have to offer the world? 

In the southern hemisphere, where people are in dire need and desperation, Christianity offers hope.  The skeptic would say,

‘That makes sense.  When people are in desperation, they want to believe in a benevolent God who will rescue them from their pain and suffering.’ 

In those places, the Church offers healing services, prayer, food, shelter, education and healthcare.  Out of love for humankind we respond to their basic needs.  It also offers the promise and the hope of eternal life where there is no more pain and suffering.  In this part of the world the Church is growing leaps and bounds. 

But what about in places of prosperity and wealth?   There the Church struggles.  Membership and attendance are in steady decline.  Contributions are down, as are the number of young people who participate.  The culture is more secular and the Church increasingly becomes more of a museum where historical artifacts are guarded and treasured.  So what does the Church have to offer those who are prosperous and somewhat self-sufficient? 

We may be guilty of having offered the wrong things.  Can you imagine being the person behind the booth and all you have are some pamphlets on denominations? 

‘Here’s information on what it means to be…

• Catholic
• Greek Orthodox       
• Lutheran
• Presbyterian
• Episcopalian
• United Methodist
• Baptist
• Fundamentalist
• Pentecostal
• Mennonite

I don’t know, but I think most people would either glaze over or walk off before you finished your speech.

Or, imagine standing there trying to sell a body of doctrine. 

‘We believe in this…that…or the other…   If you become a Christian, you will need to accept all of these beliefs.  Just sign here.’

You lost me at “this, that, or the other!”

The whole world is coming by the booth and you are representing Christianity.  What do you have to offer?  Sometimes I think they hear this;

‘Come take a stand on a social issue with us.  Stand against abortion or for homosexuality.  Stand against racism or for the rights of women.  Take a stance on capital punishment, gun control, gambling, alcohol, drugs, or a host of other social issues.  This is what it means to be a Christian.’

Those are all worthy causes, but is taking stances on social issues all the Church has to offer?  Is that it?

We’ve also offered this;

‘Membership in the Church entitles you to a beautiful wedding in our majestic sanctuary.  We perform baptisms and funerals.  Members are given preference in preschool registration.  We care for you in your times of need, provide comforting worship services to help you through the week, and don’t forget, it looks good on your civic resume.  Join the church and receive all the benefits of membership.’

That certainly sounds appealing and may get some of them in the door, but the first time their needs aren’t met, they’re gone.  It’s consumer-driven.

We also miss the mark if we simply ask a person to simply believe in the miracle of the resurrection.  Believing in miracles isn’t really all that difficult.  As you sit here, you are moving at the speed of 66,700 miles per hour.  Do you believe that?  It doesn’t really matter if you believe it or not, it’s still true.  Your brain tells you that you’re not moving but in 365 days you will orbit around the sun and you won’t even know you did it.  Believing in miracles isn’t really all that difficult.  They happen all the time, with or without us.

So, what does the Church have to offer?  Maybe we should put the Apostle Paul in that booth.  Here’s what he’d say;

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time…Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.  (I Cor. 15:3-8)

What the Church has to offer the world, not only on Easter Sunday, but on every day of the year, is that Jesus is not dead and that Christ is loose in the world!  It is not to a denomination or to a body of doctrine that we invite others to come.  It’s not to a stance on a social issue or to enjoy the benefits of membership.  At the heart of what the Church has to offer the world is a relationship with the living Christ.  It’s what Paul said;

‘…he appeared also to me.’  (15:8b)

Something, or Someone, changed Paul.  He was a devout Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, who saw Christians as heretics.  He was a keeper of the law, a strict legalist who judged others for their shortcomings.  He was self-righteous, self-sufficient and self-made.  I don’t think I would have liked him.  So, how did he move away from all of that?

He met the resurrected Christ.  He didn’t plan on it.  He wasn’t looking for it.  He sure didn’t want it.  He didn’t even know he needed it.  But God’s grace came to him; unannounced, uninvited, unexpected and undeserved.  That’s what the Church still has to offer and anything less than that is not powerful enough to change someone’s life.

Paul’s whole life was changed.  He traveled his world, built churches, suffered persecution and wound up a prisoner in Rome until his death.  He wrote over two-thirds of our New Testament – a Pharisee!  He’s not doing that because of denominationalism or doctrine.  He’s not driven by social issues or the benefits of membership.  If Paul were behind that booth he would be offering a relationship with the risen Jesus Christ.  That’s what changed him and that’s who changes us.  Anything less than that is not enough. 

So, here we sit on this glorious Easter day in a church.  If you are here this morning with someone on Easter Sunday but feel more like an observer than a participant, I get that.  It’s like me going to a Nascar race!  I appreciate all the passion in the fans.  I know something big is going on but I don’t get it.  I don’t know the rules or the drivers or who’s who.  I’m an observer, not a participant.  You may be sitting in church like that on this Easter Sunday morning.

We’re not offering denominationalism this morning.  We’re not peddling a body of doctrine or asking you to take a stand on a social issue.  Today is not about the benefits of membership or even in believing in a miracle.

What Church has to offer today, and every other day, is a relationship with the living Christ.  Anything less than that is not powerful enough to change your life.

He is risen?
He is risen indeed!
Amen.

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